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Eight men suspected of selling, furnishing and transporting methamphetamine in downtown Riverside have been arrested by Riverside police since the Oct. 27, 2016 arrest of two others believed to be the kingpins behind the operation.

A monthslong Riverside police investigation into a methamphetamine-selling ring in the city’s downtown area resulted in 10 men being arrested, two on federal charges.

Drug dealing in the downtown area, specifically at the Riverside bus depot, has plagued the area for some time, city officials say. Officer Ryan Railsback said that before the investigation started in February, the Police Department received numerous complaints from nearby businesses and residents regarding “problems going on” due to the drug activity.

“Drug dealing in downtown Riverside has always been something of an issue; it was getting worse at the bus station in recent months,” said City Councilman Mike Gardner, whose ward includes the downtown area.

Between February and April, undercover officers made controlled purchases of meth, Railsback said. The Riverside Police Department was assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other federal agencies.

The goal, Railsback said, was to catch the drug ring’s suppliers, as opposed to “saturating” the area and making possession arrest after possession arrest – which would likely result in little to no jail time for those caught.

“We were looking at some more serious charges that could result in longer sentences upon conviction,” Railsback said. “We would rather take an approach like that which takes criminals off the streets for a longer period of time instead of a temporary fix.”

Officers found several individually packaged small amounts of meth, two 1-pound bags of the drug and three firearms at Masih’s home, according to a news release issued at the time. Mays was later arrested at the bus depot.

Masih and Mays were indicted in federal court on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distributing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.

Some of them were on parole, probation or post-release community supervision under AB 109 at the time of their arrest, according to a police news release.

Gardner, in an interview Wednesday, said he’s pleased with the outcome of the investigation. He doesn’t believe this will mark the end of drug dealing downtown, but he’s glad federal charges were filed against the ring’s leaders.

“The seriousness of the charges may scare some people away, which is what the city would like to see,“ Gardner said.

Though the investigation remains ongoing, there are no outstanding suspects, Railsback said. Anyone with pertinent information may call Detective Chris Williams at 951-353-7220.